Jonesboro City Council Meeting

Date: October 9, 2025 Time: 5:30 PM (rescheduled from October 7 due to National Night Out) Location: Municipal Center, 300 S. Church Street, Jonesboro, AR

The City Council convened on October 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM with 10 members present. The meeting included approvals of routine consent agenda items, passage of ordinances on first and third readings, and reports from the Mayor and Council. A major highlight was the announcement of a $490,000 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Higginsbotham Creek Trail.

Consent Calendar

• MIN-25:082 – Minutes from the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting were approved.
• RES-25:128 – Resolution to accept a cost proposal and issue a purchase order to Matrix Consulting Group for a Building Code Review and Permitting Process Assessment Study (sponsored by Engineering and Finance).
• RES-25:129 – Resolution to approve a fee proposal for additional services for the Marion Berry Parkway Multiuse Trail Project (sponsored by Engineering).
• RES-25:131 – Resolution authorizing acceptance of the FY2023 Low-No Emissions Grant from the Federal Transit Administration, accepting a sole source bid, and entering into a contract with Hometown Manufacturing, Inc. for the purchase of hybrid trolley buses (sponsored by Grants, JETS, and Finance).
• RES-25:132 – Resolution to place a municipal lien of $275 on property at 616 E. Oak, owned by Joyce Scarborough (sponsored by Code Enforcement and Finance).
• RES-25:133 – Resolution to place a municipal lien of $315 on property at 1400 Merrywood, owned by Tonya R. Hinds (sponsored by Code Enforcement and Finance).
• RES-25:134 – Resolution to place a municipal lien of $275 on property at 3806 School Street, owned by Olga Hernandez (sponsored by Code Enforcement and Finance).

All consent agenda items were adopted by unanimous vote without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward to speak. Public comments were opened and closed with no testimony.

Discussion Items

Ordinance on First Reading:

• ORD-25:034 – An ordinance authorizing Mid-South Auto Service to do business with the City of Jonesboro. The rules were suspended, and the ordinance was read by title only. It passed on first reading and will move to second reading at a future meeting.

Ordinances on Third Reading:

• ORD-25:030 – An ordinance modifying Ordinance 24:037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public Schools (JPS) campuses. The ordinance was adopted on third reading by unanimous vote.
• ORD-25:031 – An ordinance to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the Traffic Control Committee. The ordinance was adopted on third reading by unanimous vote.

Mayor’s Reports:

• Mayor Harold Copenhaver announced that the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) awarded Jonesboro a $490,000 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Higginsbotham Creek Trail. The grant is a reimbursement-style grant covering 80% of costs with federal funds, requiring a 20% local match. The Mayor highlighted the project’s importance for walkability, recreation, and quality of life.
• The Mayor noted that the meeting was moved from Tuesday to Thursday due to National Night Out, hosted by Council Member Dr. Charles Coleman. The event featured approximately 380 hot dogs and 400 plates of fish, giveaways, and community-building activities.
• The Mayor recognized over 600 (approximately 615) volunteers who participated in community service projects on September 26, 2025, led by the United Way, including painting picnic tables and restoring duck and goose decoys donated to Arkansas Game and Fish.
• The Mayor listed numerous other community events that occurred the following weekend, including the Barbecue Fest, Arkansas District Fair, soccer games, a 10K and 5K, Allen Park Family Fun Day, and the NAACP Freedom Gala.
• The Mayor honored the legacy of Bill Hurt Jr., a longtime community member and businessman who passed away at age 86. Hurt founded numerous businesses (including 501 Steakhouse and Omar's Uptown), was a founding member of the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission, and served as part of the Arkansas delegation to the 1992 Democratic National Convention. His memorial service is scheduled for October 15 at Emerson Memorial Chapel.

Council Reports:

• Council Member Janice Porter thanked the approximately 1,600 Arkansas Baptists who served the community on the previous Saturday, noting she participated in building a wheelchair ramp for a disabled couple.
• Council Member (Mr. Emerson) provided an update on the Bond Task Force meeting held the prior Tuesday. The task force will reconvene on October 21, 2025, to review additional information and possibly vote on a recommendation to the full council regarding two vetted sites. A local developer has expressed interest in submitting a bid for the Washington property; the administration has been asked to order an appraisal to ensure due diligence.
• Council Member Dr. Charles Coleman thanked attendees of his National Night Out event, highlighted that over 400 plates of fish and 380 hot dogs were served, and acknowledged volunteers Ruby and Roger from Fisher Community Action.
• Council Member Dr. Anthony Coleman noted that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, honoring his wife as a 20-year breast cancer survivor and all women affected. He also thanked the community for prayers and support following a recent car accident in Marion, expressing gratitude to first responders.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (7 resolutions) were approved unanimously.
• ORD-25:034 passed on first reading; will proceed to second reading.
• ORD-25:030 and ORD-25:031 were adopted on third reading by unanimous vote.
• The city received a $490,000 TAP grant for the Higginsbotham Creek Trail, requiring a 20% local match.
• The Bond Task Force will meet on October 21, 2025, to consider a recommendation on bond issue sites, including an expected bid and appraisal for the Washington property.

Next Meeting

• The next regular City Council meeting will be held on the regularly scheduled date, where the audit justification will be presented.